Clinical Characteristics and Risk of Hypoxemia Development in Women Infected with SARS-CoV-2 during Pregnancy
- Author:
Yujin SOHN
1
;
Hee Kyoung CHOI
;
Jisun YUN
;
Eui Hyeok KIM
;
Young Keun KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal 2024;65(1):27-33
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:EN
-
Abstract:
Purpose:There is limited information on the clinical characteristics and prognosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during pregnancy. The clinical features and risk factors for hypoxemia development were investigated in pregnant women with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).
Materials and Methods:From August 2020 to February 2022, we performed a retrospective cohort study of 410 pregnant women with COVID-19. The clinical characteristics and prognoses were compared between pregnant COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen and those who did not.
Results:Of 410 patients, 100 (24.4%) required oxygen therapy. Among them, fever [163 (52.6%) vs. 81 (81.0%), p<0.001] and cough [172 (56.4%) vs. 73 (73.0%), p=0.003] were more frequently observed than in non-oxygen group. The proportion of unvaccinated women was higher in oxygen group than in non-oxygen group [264 (85.2%) vs. 98 (98.0%), p=0.003]. During the Omicron wave, patients were more likely to have no oxygen requirement [98 (31.6%) vs. 18 (18.0%), p=0.009]. The risk of hypoxemic respiratory difficulty increased if SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred during the third trimester [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.083, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.095–23.593, p=0.038] and C-reactive protein (CRP) was elevated (≥1.0 mg/dL) at admission (aOR 5.878, 95% CI:3.099–11.146, p<0.001). The risk was higher in unvaccinated patients (aOR 5.376, 95% CI: 1.193-24.390, p=0.028). However, the risk was lower in patients during the Omicron wave (aOR 0.498, 95% CI: 0.258–0.961, p=0.038).
Conclusion:A quarter of SARS-CoV-2-infected women developed hypoxemic respiratory difficulty during pregnancy. SARSCoV-2 infection during the third trimester, CRP elevation at admission, and no vaccination increased the risk of hypoxemia in pregnant women.
